FREEMAN, S.D. - TransCanada crews have identified what they term a "small" leak on the Keystone Pipeline near its Freeman pump station in southeast South Dakota, officials said Friday.
A news release from TransCanada said crews excavated soil to expose more than 275 feet of pipe in order to find the leak near Freeman in Hutchinson County.
"As we have said previously, there is no significant environmental impact observed and no threat to public safety," the release says.
TransCanada's pipeline has been turned off since the leak was reported Saturday, and crews have been working on-site at the property of Loren Schultz, of rural Freeman, "around the clock." On Thursday, TransCanada estimated that 400 barrels of oil, or 16,800 gallons, were leaked out of the pipeline.
On Friday, TransCanada said its engineers were evaluating a repair method in conjunction with Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration. Once it is repaired, TransCanada will work with the administration to return the pipeline to service.
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"TransCanada appreciates the support of impacted landowners, community members and local authorities who have collaborated to ensure our crews are able to continue their work," the release says. "Clean up and land restoration has already started and will continue during and after our on-site investigation and repair is complete."
The Keystone pipeline runs from Alberta to Texas, running through eastern North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska in the Midwest.
The spill comes five months after the federal government rejected TransCanada's proposal to build their Keystone XL oil pipeline, which would have passed through western South Dakota.
TransCanada said it has a community information line available for interested parties, which can be reached at (855) 895-8754.
